Update: March 30. Hello, this is Robert
Chang from Kathmandu. Climber John Gray, Base Camp Manager Paula Stout and
myself arrived here after our long set of flights in which we left on Sat.,
March 26 from the San Francisco Bay Area. The last few days we have been
meeting with our local agency here in Katmandu finalizing our plans,
logistics, meeting our Sherpa staff and getting our personal gear up into Base
Camp.

We are all in good spirits
and excited to start the trek and climb. My thoughts are on my sister who
passed away from cancer, and who we honor with our efforts to raise cancer
awareness with this ascent on Mount Everest.

We had a great dinner at the
Rum Doodle restaurant last night with Apa Sherpa and some of our other
climbing Sherpas as well as with our agency staff. We did a traditional foot
print made of thin wood and shaped like a foot - in which we adorn our
expedition name on it in an artistic and colorful manner (with felt pens)
and the team members sign it. We were given a very honorable spot right above
the main bar where it was nailed up. Later, I met up with Alan Hinkes and we
talked about climbing and his current project to finish his final 8000er - a
fun night indeed.

We have been kept up late at
night due to a local rooster who has taken up residence across from our hotel
and starts to sing loudly at about 3am every morning. Of course the standard
all night dog barking and intense morning bird singing all add into the
Kathmandu experience.

The weather has been cool in
the morning and a few rain showers in the afternoon - but very pleasant.
Flights have been ongoing to Lukla with no issues of weather delays. Its not
very crowded here in terms of tourists, but many of the other climbing teams
are going up this week with quite a few already up in the mountains trekking
into Base Camp.

Team members Chuck Huss and
Dan Smith will come in soon to join the team here in Nepal as well. With
hopefully good weather and clear skies, Paula, John and I will head up to
Lukla on March 31st in the early morning. Thanks to all of you who are
supporting our valuable project!